Government has allocated R74 million in relief funding in response to the persistent drought in the Western Cape.
The Inter-Ministerial Task Team on Drought – led by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs – continues to monitor the drought conditions and offer the required support through relevant sector departments to mitigate the situation.
The Department of Water and Sanitation is reportedly also making progress with preparations for the implementation of the Berg River to Voelvlei Augmentation Scheme.
“A record of the decision for the Environmental Impact Assessment should be available by the end of September,” a Cabinet spokesperson said.
Minister of Water and Sanitation, Nomvula Mokonyane, has since directed the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority to raise the funding needed and implement the project.
“They have already started engaging with major users and will shortly be approaching our department for concurrence with the Minister of Finance on the lending limits for the project,” she said.
Standing committee chairperson on economic opportunities, tourism, and agriculture in the Western Cape Beverley Schäfer, highlighted that a potential drop of 10% in agricultural production due to the drought could lead to 17 000 job losses in the province, warning that the current drought will have the biggest impact on seasonal employment in December.
“Between 2003 and 2016, climate-related extreme events cost the Western Cape approximately R7.12 billion," she said.
CAPTION
Threewaterskloof Dam near Cape Town.
